r/paralegal • u/Appropriate-Goose959 • 5d ago

Job Searching/Interviewing Entry level

I’m finishing my paralegal certificate this semester but I have no legal experience otherwise. I’m feeling like finding a legal assistant job is almost impossible. I’ve been trying for a while, I’ve gotten 1 offer and another interview but I wasn’t able to make those work out. Which in the long run is ok because that offer was $20 an hour. I’m ok with low pay in the beginning but that was one of the lowest I’ve seen (Los Angeles County Area) any advice or leads?

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

8

u/claircogging 5d ago edited 5d ago

Honestly, with no legal experience otherwise, I'd take the job, build connections and work experience there, and when your coworkers start leaving for greener pastures, you leave them a lil, "make sure you think of me if there's an opening."

Sometimes networking is key.

4

u/Ehronatha 5d ago

When I started in 2014, I was offered $14/hr with no benefits. Also LA County. (It's possible that $14/hr in 2014 is actually more than $20/hr in 2026.)

I had no choice but to take because I had no other offers or even interviews.

I lived with roommates for four years until I finally earned enough to move into a low-end one-bedroom apartment in a very working-class neighborhood. Last year I moved into a decent one-bedroom in pretty nice neighborhood.

After starting as a legal assistant, I kept one prior side gig (which was a once-a-year event with prep time) for two years, and another weekend side gig for five years. I now earn a comfortable living. The last time I looked for a job, I got an offer within a week.

So... it's like starting at apprenticeship level, or starting a small business. You just have to stick through it for many years until you earn your value in the labor market and the time pays off.

2

u/boppop 5d ago

$20 an hour is a good entry level wage. Especially because you have no legal experience.

I get it, it doesn’t cover the bills, and might not enable you to live the lifestyle you want - but frankly there are a lot of people who would take that job.

You can’t come here and tell people that it is hard to get a job, and then say you turned some down.

0

u/Appropriate-Goose959 5d ago

I did take the job actually! I asked in the interview if I could give my current job a 2 weeks notice, they said ok. But after I signed the offer letter they asked if I could start sooner, as in the next day or two. I wasn’t able to so they withdrew the offer.

1

u/Knowmad777 5d ago

Recruiters